It Hugs Back - Now + Again

As ‘Now + Again’ starts it sounds promising. Thick, pulsating guitar undulates alongside the spacey edginess of the organ, but as It Hugs Back singer Matthew’s voice launches into a soothing murmur it becomes clear that things aren’t going anywhere. The song finds its niche and plugs along on the same track in static repression for an inexplicably long two minutes and ten seconds. The riffs and melody that at first listen intrigued become tired and dull like stories of Pete Doherty’s drug woes or Amy Winehouse’s latest rehab stint.

With its warped melodies and gentle humming vocals ‘Now + Again’ is a solid foundation for an abstract, head in the clouds sort of track but it lacks the finishing touches and the ability to hold our attention. Instead we are left pining for any sort of hook or tempo change that might add a little scenery to this astral ride. While It Hugs Back strive to create a vapory, ethereal tune, on ‘Now + Again’ the only thing dreamy about this track is the way it causes our mind to wander.